NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, 24th July: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown trade update, Zion Williamson signs with Jordan brand and more

The 2019 offseason is now well underway, and NBA fans have already been treated to almost a month of excitement. Superstars such as Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis have been traded to title-contending teams, whereas the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Al Horford all opted to seek a new challenge in free agency.

Due to this, the 2019-20 season is quickly gearing up to be among the most exciting in recent memory, and plenty could still happen in the latter stages of the postseason.

A number of notable free agents remain available, while players such as Bradley Beal, Steven Adams, and Serge Ibaka continue to be linked with moves. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for July 24th.

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Zion Williamson signs with Jordan brand

Zion Williamson has signed with the Jordan brand ahead of his debut season with the New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson is widely regarded as the most exciting player to enter the NBA since LeBron James back in 2003, and several major brands were desperate to sponsor the teenager ahead of his debut season.

Earlier this week, Puma were believed to be in pole position to secure Williamson's signature, although ESPN is reporting that the Pelicans man has signed with the Jordan brand:

Pelicans rookie and No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Zion Williamson has signed a multi-year shoe deal with Jordan Brand. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though multiple competitor brands had offered the rookie sensation more than $10 million annually.

The Jordan brand is well known for its selective sponsoring strategy, and Williamson will join just a handful of stars that are contracted to wear the brand.

Boston Celtics refused to trade Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum

The young Boston pairing is among the most talented in the NBA

The Boston Celtics entered the summer amidst considerable uncertainty, and some suggested that the team would consider trading their young pairing of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

However, Celtics Blog is reporting that an unnamed rival executive attempted to trade for Brown and Tatum but was immediately deterred:

The conversation got about as far as the Jay sound out of my mouth and they said, ‘Neither Jayson (Tatum) or Jaylen (Brown) are on the table for you.’ So, yeah. They love that kid.

Tatum is coming off a season in which he averaged 15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Meanwhile, Brown averaged 13.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

Both players are viewed among the best young talents in the NBA, and Tatum is expected to replace the outgoing Kyrie Irving as the Celtics' main offensive option.

Gregg Popovich wanted Manu Ginobili back in San Antonio

Manu Ginobili passed on a possible return to the San Antonio Spurs

Earlier this week, San Antonio Spurs fans were excited by the news that Tim Duncan was returning to the franchise as an assistant coach to Gregg Popovich. However, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Popovich first approached another legend in Manu Ginobili:

The assistant coaching concept, I’m told, was also broached with Ginobili, who has only been retired for one season and was apparently not quite ready to dive back in. But then Duncan volunteered, and happily took second billing to Will Hardy.

Ginobili spent his entire NBA career with the Spurs, winning four titles. However, the Argentine wanted to spend more time away from basketball following his retirement just 12 months earlier.

Due to this, Duncan was approached to take on the assistant role, and some analysts have suggested that the former star has the potential to become a future head coach.